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Indonesian

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The Indonesian Language and Studies Program was established in 1990 and has grown to become the largest distance learning provider for Indonesian language and culture in Australia. The discipline also has internal on-campus student body enjoying high-quality facilities and lifestyle. We pride ourselves in our use of modern teaching technology and the quality of our research.

What's new in Indonesian?

There is no better time to learn Indonesian at UNE than now!

In 2013, the Indonesian Language and Culture Discipline at UNE is introducing new, multimedia teaching materials and new teaching methods. These significant and exiting changes are designed to make learning Indonesian a more engaging, interactive, and hence more effective, experience. In line with the spirit and policy objectives of the Australian Government’s ‘Australia in the Asian Century White Paper’ (2012), we aim to make it easier than ever for students to acquire literacy in Indonesian language and culture, equipping them with valuable skills for the coming Asian Century.

This year, we will be using the new interactive online version of The Indonesian Way textbook.  These online materials are also being used at top universities around the globe. This means that the UNE is using cutting edge, world class materials, developed specifically for online and distance learners.

There has never been a better time to study Indonesian at UNE.

Why Study Indonesian?

Indonesian gives you access to one of the most interesting and important areas of the world. Indonesia is spread over more than 13,000 islands and has a population of approximately 240 million. Over 500 languages are spoken in this area, and there are at least as many different ethnic groups. It is the largest Muslim country in the world, but also has significant Christian, Hindu and Buddhist populations. Because of its size and location, it is an important member of the international community. As a travel destination, Indonesia is an enjoyable and affordable place to visit. These days thousands of Australians visit Indonesian regions such as Bali, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi islands annually, and thousands more live happily in Indonesia.

Indonesia is on Australia's doorstep. As our nearest Asian neighbour, a major trading partner and crucial strategic ally, Indonesia is important for Australia's future:

Australia’s relationship with Indonesia is comprehensive, it is dynamic, it is economic, it is in foreign policy and it is in security policy, and in all these domains, the potential is vast. We are ambitious for the future of our relationship (Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, House of Representatives, Canberra, March 2010).

Australia and Indonesia have become better nations, stronger nations, because we have each other for a friend and partner. We will get stronger and we will together contribute more to the peace, security and equitable prosperity of our region and the world in the years ahead. We will do that by faithfully pursuing our enhanced, comprehensive partnership (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, House of Representatives, Canberra, March 2010).

Indonesia is growing quite quickly. Within about 10 years, it could easily have a stronger economy than Australia's (Hugh White, Visiting Fellow at the Lowy Institute for International Policy and Professor of Strategic Studies at the Australian National University, March 2010).

Indonesian is easier for beginners than many other languages. For several reasons, it is easy for beginners to reach a general level of competence in Indonesian. It uses a 'phonetic' Latin alphabet, has no tenses or conjugation of verbs, or many of the other grammatical features that can make initial progress in a foreign language difficult, although mastering its affixes may require some extra work at formal higher levels.

Indonesian is a form of Malay (generally, speakers of Indonesian can communicate with Malay speakers), a language spoken in a number of other countries. Malay is also the national language of Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. It is also spoken by minority communities in Southern Thailand and other areas of the world.

Why Study Indonesian at UNE?

  • The Indonesian Discipline at UNE is highly experienced in flexible delivery modes.
  • Our students can study both internally and externally.
  • We understand our students’ busy lives, so we accommodate them as much as we possibly can.
  • We have great facilities in the area, we have low student/staff ratios and offer a more personal experience.
  • We rank highly for student satisfaction.
  • We offer a relaxed and friendly environment.
  • Our staff are highly qualified and respected.
  • Graduate career prospects are great.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:    Can I study Indonesian from scratch?
A:    Yes! In fact our first year programme is designed for absolute beginners.

Q:    I did HSC Indonesian/have studied Indonesian before. Where do I fit in?
A:    If you have done HSC (or equivalent) in Indonesian, you will start Indonesian at second year level. If you have studied elsewhere, you can get credit and start at a higher level (depending on the extent of your previous study).

Q:    Can I study Indonesian at UNE by distance mode?
A:    Yes! The majority of our students study through distance mode (externally). We use a variety of resources to help our students learn Indonesian through distance education -  texts, CDs, optional residential schools, on-line resources (including interactive chat sessions), amongst others.

Q:    Can I become a competent speaker of Indonesian studying by distance mode?
A:    Yes! Our on-campus and off-campus students sit the same exams, and there is no difference in standards. Of course, high level fluency can only come through some form of immersion - we recommend that our advanced students take intensive courses in-country, take advantage of the ACICIS programme (see below), or just holiday in Indonesia. We will also be offering In-country summer short (4-6 weeks) courses at the University of Mataram, Lombok from January 2009.

Q:    Can I study in Indonesia as part of a UNE degree?
A:    Yes! UNE is a member of the Australian Consortium for In-Country Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) which runs 6-12 month programmes at the prestigious Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta and the Muhammadiyah University in Malang. UNE also gives credit for recognised short-term programmes (4-6 weeks) in cities such as Padang, Jakarta, Salatiga and Denpasar.

Papandayan Mountain

Courses

Bachelor’s courses in which you can major in Indonesian
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching
Bachelor of International Studies
Bachelor of International Studies (Advanced)
Bachelor of Languages
Bachelor of Languages and International Business

You can also study Indonesian as an elective in almost any Bachelor’s course offered at UNE; check the course rules to see how many electives you are permitted to include.

Undergraduate Diplomas in which you can study Indonesian
Diploma in Modern Languages
Advanced Diploma in Arts

Postgraduate course work awards in which you can study Indonesian
Graduate Certificate in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Humanities
Master of Arts

Bachelor Honours
Bachelor of Arts with Honours

Postgraduate Research
Master of Arts with Honours
Doctor of Philosophy

Units

Indonesian Units
INDN 101 Indonesian Language 1A
INDN 102 Indonesian Language 1B
INDN 201 Indonesian Language 2A
INDN 202 Indonesian Language 2B
INDN 211 Indonesian In-Country Study A
INDN 212 Indonesian In-Country Study B
INDN 301 Indonesian Language 3A
INDN 302 Indonesian Language 3B
INDN 311 Indonesian In-Country Study C
INDN 312 Indonesian In-Country Study D
INDN 315 Contemporary Indonesian Culture
INDN 330/INDN 430 A History of Indonesian and its Role in Society
INDN 331/INDN 431 Reading Islamic Texts: State, Religion and Conflicts
INDN 401H Indonesian Hons Coursework
INDN 402H Indonesian Hons Dissertation
INDN 441 Contemporary Issues in Indonesian Culture and Society

Indonesian Units offered via partner universities
LL 1251 Indonesian in Context (Charles Darwin University)
HMN 304 Indonesian Literature and its Social Context (University of Tasmania)

The Indonesian major

Units to be taken in an Indonesian major are detailed for each course (see the Course and Unit catalogue, by clicking on the course eg Bachelor of Arts, in which you will study Indonesian). As a general rule students complete INDN101, 102, 201, 202, 301 and 302 plus two additional units chosen from a list of Indonesian language,  culture and in-country study units. Those students with substantial prior knowledge of Indonesian, equivalent to HSC 2 unit Continuers, should commence with INDN201 and complete four additional units from the second list, while Indonesian or Malay native speakers should commence with INDN301 and complete six units from the second list. If students are in doubt as to the unit they should start with, they should consult the Discipline Convenor to take a placement test.

Demonstration in support of Pancasila

Careers

Indonesian can get you a job. The number of students studying Indonesian in Australia is currently critically low; however, graduates in Indonesian language are in demand and find work in government agencies, in the education sector (Schools), in the Australian Defence Force, Customs and Immigration, in consultancies, non-governmental organisations as well as other private companies in Australia and Indonesia. In 2009, the Rudd government launched its National Asian Languages and Studies in Schools Program which aims to double the number of students studying an Asian language by 2015.  This will create job opportunities for Indonesian language teachers.

"A variety of Commonwealth departments and agencies struggle to meet their targets of fluent Indonesian-language graduates.  ... government and non-government aid organisations, such as Australian Volunteers International or Peace Brigades International,  ... are constantly seeking Indonesian speakers." (Prof. David Hill, the West Australian, 30 September 2004).

Partnerships, Networks and Industry Links

Indonesian Internships
www.indonesianinternships.com.au

Interactive maps of Indonesian islands.
http://www.indomap.com/

Homepage of the International Non Government Organisation Forum on Indonesian Development.
http://www.infid.or.id/

Sejarah Indonesia (Indonesian History).
A Timeline from 1500 to 2000.
http://www.gimonca.com/sejarah/index.html

Contacts

For more information about studying Indonesian at UNE, please contact:

Dr Zi Adnan
Convenor of Indonesian
Lecturer (Indonesian)
School of Arts
University of New England
ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Australia

Telephone (02) 6773 3516. International: +61 2 6773 3516.
Facsimile (02) 6773 3735. International: +61 2 6773 3735.
email: zadnan@une.edu.au

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